Introduction
The Life Science Informatics Forum, established in 2021, is a developing community focused on sparking discussions on leading-edge topics within the broader Life Science Informatics arena and, more specifically, the Biopharma R&D informatics sector.
What is the Life Science Informatics Forum?
The Life Science Informatics Forum is a global series of events, consisting of regional chapter meetings throughout the year, each with a common format, all focused on specific informatics challenges.
Why Attend?
- Learn from top informatics practitioners
- Explore emerging technologies applied to drug discovery
- Network in an intimate, curated environment
- Participate in structured peer discussion
- Hear cross-industry challenges and solutions
Why Be a Speaker Sponsor?
- Highly targeted audience of biopharma informatics leaders
- Limited competition (small group events)
- Multiple regional touchpoints
- Thought leadership opportunities
Evolution Timeline
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2021: Birth of the Forum
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2022: Initiation of the first series of meetings
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2023: A year of growth with four insightful meetings
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2024: Established Steering Committees across the globe
Sponsors
Steering Committees
The forum’s direction is guided by well-recognised informaticians viz:
USA
- Devendra Deshmukh – Excelra
- Stephen Wing – MilliporeSigma
- Cathy Kuang – Takeda
- Jake Janey – Vertex
Switzerland
- Sven Neumeyer – Novartis
- Clarisse Chavanne – Roche
- Claudio Battilocchio – Syngenta
BENELUX
- Pieter Peeters – Galapagos
- Quentin Grignet – GSK
- Bert Torfs – Johnson & Johnson
Germany
- Lars Greiffenberg – AbbVie
- Sheila Elz – Bayer
- Karsten Quast – Boehringer Ingelheim
- Lars von Wedel – Grunenthal
- Thomas Fuerst – Merck KGaA
- Angelika Fuchs – Roche Diagnostics GmbH
UK
- Derrek Marren – AstraZeneca
- Darren Green – DesignPlus Cheminformatics Consultants
- Phillip Sanseau – GSK
- Bryn Williams-Jones – Independent Consultant
- Anthony Rowe – Johnson & Johnson
Nordics
- Julie Klint – Lundbeck
- Christina Pamela Kreutzmann – Roche
- Saritha Vettikunnel Kuriakose – Novo Nordisk
- Per Hillertz – AstraZeneca
Their combined expertise ensures discussions are relevant and transformative.
Key Discussion Points
Since inception, the forum has explored several “hot topics” such as:
- Addressing the data science skills deficit
- Leveraging the power of Large Language Models
- Knowledge Graphs
- The opportunities for Digital Twins
Session Format:
- Forum kick-off; greeting from that the meeting’s sponsor. This is followed by 3-4 brief presentations, each lasting 15-20 minutes, by specialists well-versed in the chosen theme to provide the body of knowledge to inform the later discussions.
- Networking.
- Facilitated Interactive Debates: Engaging group discussions, enriched by the earlier sessions.
- Post-meeting reception, courtesy of the meeting sponsor.
Member Dynamics
With a strong membership base, we try to follow the “rule of 30” for our meetings. This ensures that while we have a comprehensive range of perspectives, the gathering remains of a size to allow for uninhibited dialogues.
Connect & Collaborate
If you would like the opportunity to engage in relevant informatics discussions and network with fellow practitioners in the industry, contact:
- John Wise (UK & European Chapters) email: john.wise@pistoiaalliance.org
- Cristina Fasca (European Chapters) email: cristina.fasca@pistoiaalliance.org
- Tim Hoctor (USA Chapter) email: tim.hoctor@pistoiaalliance.org
- Stephanie Pearson (USA Chapter) email: stephanie.pearson@pistoiaalliance.org
